Stillman starts season against No. 25 Shaw

TUSCALOOSA | Teddy Keaton has only one chance to win his first game as Stillman Colleges head football coach.

Stillman opens the season at 5 p.m. today against Shaw University from North Carolina. Shaw is ranked 25th in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll and second in the Heritage Sports Radio Network for Division II Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Bears posted a 9-3 record last season and won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association title.

Shaws Charles Deas was the only CIAA player named to the Preseason HBCU All-American team as chosen by Boxtorow.com.

Deas, a senior defensive lineman, had 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks in 2010.

No matter what happens today, Keaton has a plan for reviving the program at his alma mater.

Im approaching it like I approach any other week, said Keaton, who gained experience as a head coach in arena football. Im not panicking. Im doing what I normally do to prepare for a ballgame. Its not about me.



Its more about me getting my troops ready to play. None of my coaches can take a snap on the football field, so weve got to make sure our kids understand where theyre supposed to be and make the plays theyve got to make.

Theyre extremely huge up front. Coach (Darrell) Asberry was ranked as one of the top 10 HBCU coaches. Hes won a lot of ballgames. Those things dont bother me. I cant control what they bring to the party. I can control what my team can do, so were focusing in on us, trying to make sure we do the right things, take the right step, know our assignment and play fundamentally sound football.

Keaton made it a priority to improve the offensive and defensive lines. KieAndre Jones, a senior from Hillcrest High School, has a chance to start at right tackle. Keaton said Jones developed consistency during the last couple of weeks of fall camp.

Senior Mekale Hughley, a former defensive lineman, will line up at right guard. Charles Hope is the center. Freshman Tori Bennett will play at left guard with senior Kevin Brown (6-foot-4, 370 pounds) at left tackle.

Keaton said he plans to start freshman Dondre Purnell at quarterback. Senior Schley Devereux is the top tailback. In a two-back set, Jean Serve will be at fullback.

Keaton said he expects senior linebacker Jarell Thomas and senior end Bryant Mosley to lead the defense.

Sophomores Carlos Wilson and Lakeevis Tabb are expected to start at cornerback with freshmen Robert Crosby and Ronrico Dunn at safety.

Stillman, 3-8 in 2010, hasnt had a winning season since 2007.

I think theyre hungry to win, Keaton said. This senior class has to have something to go out and say that they have done something for this institution.

Reach Andrew Carroll at andrew.carroll@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.

References

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